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What to do in Florence

Florence is the soul of Tuscany, and it brims with the influences of the Renaissance. You'll discover a myriad of architectural wonders and a profusion of exquisite artwork, all of which culminate into one cultural masterpiece of a city.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is the city's top museum, and the place to see Botticelli's stunning "Birth of Venus." It's also wise to book your entrance ticket in advance to avoid waiting in a long line.

Accademia Gallery of Florence

Michaelangelo's "David" stands in the center of the Tribune and rightfully so. Classical music lovers will also enjoy the exhibit at the Accademia Gallery's Museum of Musical Instruments.

David

It's Florence's, if not the world's, most famous statue, and people have been admiring "David's" chiseled physique since its unveiling in 1504.

Palazzo Vecchio

A replica of "David" at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio indicates his original position here until 1873. The renowned Hall of Five Hundred is a part of the building's museum section.

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria has plenty of statuary, with the gallery of the Loggia dei Lanzi, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I and the Fountain of Neptune, who slightly resembles Cosimo.

Florence Cathedral

Known as il Duomo, the view from the Gothic cathedral's iconic, red-brick dome offers a sweeping panorama over waves of the city's terracotta rooftops amid rolling, Tuscan hills.

Florence Baptistry

Dedicated to the city's patron saint, John the Baptist, Florence Baptistry in white and green Prato marble boasts an inner dome with lavish, golden mosaics.

Church of Santa Maria Novella

It may appear ordinary from the outside, but it's the grandeur within that makes the Church of Santa Maria Novella well worth the visit. Its cloister also provides some moments of serenity.

Ponte Vecchio

Pastel-colored apartments upon shops selling art, jewelry, and souvenirs line the city's oldest and most unique bridge Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River. It's picture-perfect day and night.

Pitti Palace

Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio to the former Medici family residence. The Pitti Palace houses five museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art and the opulent Palatine Gallery.

Planning Your Florence Visit

How long should you stay in Florence?

A minimum of four nights will allow you to see the top sites without rushing from one to another. Give yourself a week or more for a full Renaissance immersion.

Getting around the city

The heart of Florence is compact, and you can easily explore all that the city has to offer by foot. The historical center is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and traffic is restricted from entering. If you're planning to rent a car for a trip around Tuscany, you'll have to park outside the "Limited Traffic Zone." Consider 15 euros extra per day for a parking garage space, since free parking is a rarity.

How expensive is Florence?

Keep in mind the entrance fees for the all the top sights, including the majority of churches. Although it's free to enter the Florence Cathedral, you'll have to buy a ticket to go up the dome for the breathtaking views. Restaurants in Italy also add a service fee called "pane e coperto" (literally "bread and cover"). It's an extra few euros charged per person seated at the table, but it's not a tip for your server.

Good to Know

Language

Italian

Currency

Euro (€)

Time Zone

UTC (+01:00)

Country Code

+39

Best time to visit

By October, the weather is still warm, but the tourist rush is winding down.

A very good tour without any problems all ran smoothly

Time in the Uffizi Gallery Is Worth Every Euro!

Going to the Uffizi Gallery is a highlight of any trip to Florence. I don't want to waste a minute standing in line to get in there. However, So please be aware that it's best to print out your ticket. (I could have done so at my hotel.)

Our guide should have his own BBC series on the Renaissance.

The tour lasted a fantastic 3 and a half hours and was very informative. Our guide should have his own BBC 3 documentary series. Regrettably, no tour of the dome was organized and we had to book that separately on a different day and the only reason we chose this tour was because it said it included a tour of the dome.